ARKADELPHIA: Economic development leader identifies impact region at meeting

By Elizabeth Sharp

LITTLE ROCK — To the rest of the state, it’s just another small college town.

But a new group of residents and business people in Arkadelphia is hoping to change the way that Arkansas and the surrounding region looks at their little city in Clark County.

The Economic Development Corporation of Clark County held its first meeting Monday at Ouachita Baptist University’s Walker Conference Center.

At least 100 residents and business people from around the county, as well as students and faculty members from Ouachita Baptist and Henderson State universities, attended the meeting.

Newly appointed corporation President and CEO Paul Harvel discussed his work with chambers of commerce in Oklahoma, Texas and other Arkansas towns and how he plans on using his strategies in those places to meet Arkadelphia’s unique needs and revitalize their economy.

“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone working together,” Harvel said.

He began by establishing the region that the corporation would be working in - a 50-mile radius around Arkadelphia - as well as the markets that it would be targeting for business: Dallas, Memphis and the rest of Arkansas.

By drawing attention to the town’s two universities, its proximity to Little Rock National Airport and its emphasis on outdoor activities like water sports, biking, hiking, golfing andfishing, Harvel said they hope to draw people to Arkadelphia as a place they can live, work and play.

Shawnie Carrier, director of industrial development and existing industry programs, said she feels that forming the corporation is a vital step in Arkadelphia’s future.

“There’s so much energy - everyone seems to be working here together to embrace the idea of economic development,” she said.

And while some have been concerned that Arkadelphia’s image as a college town has limited its potential, Carrier agreed with Harvel’s notion that its focus on education is one of its best assets.

“Education and economic development: You cannot separate the two,” Carrier said.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 65 on 05/22/2008